In the article entitled "War heroes can't wear their medals"

(The Argus, March 13), I take it that Colin Ridley has said he wants to wear a medal awarded by another country. If he is an ex-military man he should know that a medal awarded by a foreign country can not be worn as it must have the British Government's or the Queen's approval.

The only medals awarded by foreign countries that can be worn are medals awarded for gallantry, eg, the Croix de Guerre and honours bestowed on behalf of the Queen, ie, Australian, New Zealand and Canadian honours.

However, there is an exception to this - anyone who served in Vietnam can wear the Vietnam medal awarded by the country of the same name. About 200 members from the British Forces were awarded this medal, mainly personnel based at the British Embassy in Saigon.

Members of the British Forces who participated in the first Iraq war in 1991 were awarded two foreign medals, namely the Kuwait and Saudi Arabia liberation medals. However, they are unable to wear them as they are foreign medals.

The only occasion foreign medals can be worn is in the minature form and with evening dress.

If you speak to servicemen from other foreign forces you will find they are envious of our medal allocation.

  • Ray Spence